“This year, I let Messi win it” - Son Heung-min cracks joke about Inter Miami winning MLS Cup final during reunion with Cristian Romero

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min has jokingly thrown the gauntlet at Lionel Messi and Inter Miami after their MLS Cup triumph. The Argentine legend led the Herons to a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final.

Son, who left Spurs for the Los Angeles FC in the MLS during the summer, paid a visit to his former club following the completion of the 2025 MLS campaign. During a chat with former teammate Cristian Romero, the South Korean joked that he let Messi win the MLS Cup this year, saying (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X):

"This year, I let Messi win it [MLS Cup], next year we are at the top."

Messi was instrumental to Inter Miami's MLS Cup win. With 29 goals and 19 assists, the 38-year-old helped the side secure automatic qualification to the playoffs, as they finished third in the standings during the regular season. In the playoffs, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner added six goals and seven assists, leading the Herons to glory.

Son, on the other hand, enjoyed a successful debut season with the Los Angeles FC. The 33-year-old registered 12 goals and four assists in 13 outings for the side, including three goals in the playoffs, where they were eliminated by eventual runners-up Vancouver Whitecaps in the quarter-finals.

Intrestingly, Messi and Son will likely face off on the opening night of the 2026 MLS season. Inter Miami and LAFC are scheduled to kick off the new campaign in a marquee matchup at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 21, 2026.

Lionel Messi sets MLS record with MVP win

Lionel Messi has been crowned the MLS Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season. The Argentine legend recorded the most goals (29) and assists (19) during the regular season and captained Inter Miami to a first-ever MLS Cup title win.

He becomes the first player in MLS history to win the prestigious Landon Donovan MVP award for consecutive years. Messi, who also won the award in 2024, becomes only the second player to win it twice after Predrag Radosavljevic (1997, 2003).

Since joining the Herons in 2023, Lionel Messi has recorded immense individual and collective success. He guided the Herons to their first-ever trophy - the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy, the 2024 Supporters' Shield, and now the MLS Cup. In addition to his two MLS MVP wins, he has also won the 2023 Newcomer of the Year award and the 2025 Golden Boot.